# Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations (DRACO) Nuclear Thermal Rocket (NTR) program’s reactor transportation support

Canonical: https://abierto.us/opportunities/darpasn2446

- Solicitation number: DARPA-SN-24-46
- Notice type: Sources sought
- Status: Closed. Deadline was March 1, 2024 at 4:00 PM EST
- Department: Department of Defense
- Agency: Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
- Contracting office: Def Advanced Research Projects Agcy (HR0011)
- NAICS: 541715 Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- First posted: February 20, 2024
- Last posted: February 20, 2024
- SAM.gov: https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/f303556536d54563995ef6e9fa3be189/view

## Description

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) seeks sources for the Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations (DRACO) Nuclear Thermal Rocket (NTR) program’s reactor transportation support efforts as outlined below:

Source is to identify an available option for radioactive packaging that is currently licensed by the Department of Energy (DOE) or Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for transportation of a nuclear reactor over public roadways and across state lines. The container must be a certified Type A fissile or Type B fissile radioactive packaging. The reactor, being the primary component of the NTR engine, will range between 3000 kg and 5000 kg in weight, and measure approximately 1m in diameter x 2.5m in length.

The source must meet licensing, availability, internal enveloping, routing, and payload requirements specific to those of the DRACO NTR reactor. The source must perform the safety basis development, Safety Analysis Report (SAR) amendment, Certificate of Compliance (CoC) revision, and associated technical support required to use the identified packaging to transport the DRACO reactor unit from BWX Technologies (BWXT) performer site to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS) launch site.

To facilitate market research, the Government is seeking to identify qualified sources under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code 541715. A contract is anticipated to be awarded to a single firm with a period of performance beginning in FY24. The contract is planned to take place over a 36-month duration.

## Publications

- February 20, 2024: Sources sought, due March 1, 2024 at 4:00 PM EST. Notice f303556536d54563995ef6e9fa3be189. https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/f303556536d54563995ef6e9fa3be189/view

## Points of contact

- Gonzalez-nunez, Ovidio, ovidio.gonzalez-nunez@darpa.mil

---
Source: SAM.gov Contract Opportunities bulk extract. Confirm deadlines on SAM.gov before responding. Cite https://abierto.us/opportunities/darpasn2446.